Last September, Jaime Martin del Campo and Ramiro Arvizu were hoping to open a second branch of their highly-regarded Mexican restaurant by year’s end. A lot can happen in seven months. On my recent visit to La Casita Mexicana last Wednesday, I learned the duo still plans to offer a “bigger taste of Mexico” in Bell. It won’t be in the former two-story schoolhouse. Instead, Jaime and Ramiro secured the adjacent space. They plan to knock down the east wall and double the size of their existing location.

The 3-D fruit-and-vegetable mural requires smashing. Don’t worry, the original artist will recreate it exactly on the new east wall. A larger space will allow the Jalisco natives to build a larger kitchen, leading to fresh baked bread, ice cream, and an expanded seafood selection. La Casita Mexicana will also gain a beer and wine license. Jaime and Ramiro plan to expand this year, hopefully in the next 3-6 months. In the meantime, they’re two months away from completing “La Magica de Molcajete,” a cookbook featuring over 40 salsas.